'Web of lies': Sandro Marcos shuts down 'Tita' Imee’s ‘dangerously irresponsible’ drug use allegations vs First Family
Sandro Marcos slammed his "Tita," Sen. Imee Marcos' accusations that he and the rest of the First Family are taking illegal drugs as he called them "dangerously irresponsible."
In a statement published on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Nov. 18, the presidential son began, “I have always acknowledged and respected the role my Tita, Senator Imee Marcos, played in the early part of my public life. That respect remains which is why this will be the first and last time I will be speaking on this.”
“It pains me to see how low she has gone to the point that she resorts to a web of lies aimed at destabilizing this government to advance her own political ambitions,” he said.
Per Sandro, the drug use claims are “not only false, but dangerously irresponsible.”
“Sa lahat po ng binanggit ni senadora, walang basehan, walang katotohanan, at walang magandang idudulot sa bayan.”
Sandro said his cousins—Imee’s children Borgy, Matthew, and Michael—“can attest that these allegations that were insinuated against me are false.”
“We always agreed that whatever happened between our parents, we wouldn’t let ourselves be dragged in. That is why nakakalungkot makita na ginagawa niya ito,” he continued. “For her to betray her own family brings a lot of pain to me as a consequence of my respect to her for giving me my start in public life.”
Sandro went on to stress that “now is the time to unite behind truth, not to amplify narratives meant to topple the government.”
“Panahon ngayon para magtulungan, hindi para magpalaganap ng gulo at destabilisasyon,” he said.
“Hindi ito asal ng isang tunay na kapatid,” he concluded.
Imee’s drug use claims vs First Family
Imee made the allegations on the second day of Iglesia ni Cristo's anti-corruption rally on Nov. 17, claiming that she urged Bongbong to marry Liza thinking she could help solve his alleged drug addiction.
"Naisip ko nun, kapag nag-asawa siya, malalagay na sa tahimik at magkakaroon ng direksyon. Ang laki ng pagkakamali ko. Mas lumala ang kanyang paglulong sa droga dahil parehas pala silang mag-asawa," she said. "Tuwing kokomprontahin ko siya ay nagsasabi siyang magbabago na siya, aalisin na niya ang bisyo. Hanggang sa may nagsumbog na naman sa akin, na sa paggising pa lang sa umaga, kasabay ng almusal, marijuana pala.”
She then alleged that the presidential children are using illegal drugs.
In a statement released later in the day, Presidential Communications Office Usec. Claire Castro said Imee's claims were a "desperate move" against the country's Chief Executive.
"Ang pinag-uusapan sa peaceful rally ay patungkol sa diumanong korupsiyon. Ano ang dahilan ni Sen. Imee para ang sarili niyang kapatid ay siraan niya?" she said. "So ano ang dahilan ng desperadong galawan ni Sen. Imee Marcos laban sa sarili niyang kapatid? At pati kay First Lady?"
Bongbong has yet to comment on his sister’s allegations as of writing.
This adds to the growing list of issues that the President is currently facing. He was recently accused by former congressman Zaldy Co of ordering him to insert P100 billion in ghost flood-control projects into the national budget.
Lakas-CMD expresses support for Marcos
Amid the noise, Lakas - Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)—the dominant political party led by Marcos' cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez—expressed their "full and unwavering support" for the President and his administration in a statement released on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
"As a party, we reaffirm our long-standing principles: respect for the rule of law, adherence to due process, and fidelity to the truth," they said. "These principles guide our conduct, our members, and the manner by which we address issues of national consequence. Batas, ebidensya, at katotohanan—'yan ang sandigan, hindi kwentong kutsero o pamumulitika."
The group noted that allegations "must be made—and answered in the proper forum" and stressed that the President "has consistently demonstrated prudence, transparency, and respect for lawful budget procedures."
"We refuse to be distracted by narratives built on speculation, personal grievances, or recollections delivered outside official investigatory processes. Our commitment is to good governance, stability, and unity—especially at a time when serious national issues require sober leadership," they said. "Hindi kami sasabay sa ingay; gagawin namin ang tama. Hindi puwedeng personal at sama ng loob ang maging direksyon ng bansa."
Lakas-CMD added that all of their members are ready to cooperate with any lawful investigation. "Our position has always been consistent: If there is evidence, present it to the proper authorities. If there are questions, raise them in the proper venues. If there are accusations, they must withstand the test of due process. Kung may ebidensya, ilabas."
For them, Filipinos "deserve clarity, not theatrics; justice, not trial by public spectacle."
"Ang bayan ang talo kapag ang imbestigasyon ginawang drama. Hindi showbiz ang hustisya—hindi script ang katotohanan," they added.
